Introduction to Cloud Computing

Flashcards for Cloud Computing lecture

Cloud Computing

A general term used to describe a new class of network based computing that takes place over the Internet, basically a step on from Utility Computing. It uses the Internet for communication and provides hardware, software and networking services to clients.

Cloud Computing Definition

Shared pool of configurable computing resources, on-demand network access, provisioned by the Service Provider

Common Characteristics of Cloud Computing

Low Cost, Software Virtualization, Service Orientation, Advanced Security, Homogeneity, Massive Scale, Resilient Computing, Geographic Distribution

Essential Characteristics of Cloud Computing

Resource Pooling, Broad Network Access, Rapid Elasticity, Measured Service, On Demand Self-Service

Cloud Service Models

Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Different Cloud Computing Layers

Application Service (SaaS), Application Platform, Server Platform, Storage Platform

Software as a Service (SaaS)

A model of software deployment where an application is hosted as a service provided to customers across the Internet. It alleviates the burden of software maintenance/support but users relinquish control over software versions and requirements.

Virtual workspaces

An abstraction of an execution environment that can be made dynamically available to authorized clients by using well-defined protocols, Resource quota (e.g. CPU, memory share), Software configuration (e.g. O/S, provided services).

Virtual Machines (VMs)

Abstraction of a physical host machine, Hypervisor intercepts and emulates instructions from VMs, and allows management of VMs

VM technology

Allows multiple virtual machines to run on a single physical machine.